TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays have promoted Jose Ministral to head athletic trainer.

Ministral joined the Blue Jays in 2013 as an assistant athletic training co-ordinator, and was the club's assistant athletic trainer over the past two seasons.

The Summit, N.J., native began his baseball career in 1998 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ministral replaces Nikki Huffman, who left the team after last season ended.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2019.